May 9, 2003

School of Law recognizes scholarly achievements

Law graduates top list

For assiduous and unwavering application to the history and implementation of law, Kathryn Marie Knight and Julie Elizabeth Hebert, A'00, will be recognized as the top two graduates during the School of Law's spring commencement May 16.

Knight, the leader of her class, has a cumulative GPA of 3.964 and an array of law excellence awards to compliment a background rich with legal experience. A native of Bogalusa, Louisiana, and graduate of LSU, Knight carried her skills learned from a degree in merchandising over to a business specializing in monograms where she acted as proprietor for four years. She then transferred to Annunciation Catholic School and spent a year as an English teacher. She obtained a second bachelor's of science degree in paralegal studies from the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg.

With a newfound synthesis of law and operational skills, Knight aspired to her present job as senior paralegal in a Bogalusa law firm after working as a summer associate and law clerk in other various firms.

Knight made the transition to the School of Law where she acted as comment editor for the Loyola Law Review, served on the Moot Court staff and honor board, and became a member of Phi Delta Phi. She was recognized as Who's Who Among American Colleges and Universities and has been recently named a Professor William L. Crowe, Sr., Scholar, an honor established for students graduating in the top 10 percent of their class in memory of the late professor who taught at the law school for 25 years.

Hebert is also a Crowe scholar with a 3.930 GPA, representing all the accolades, the honors bestowed, and the many hours spent in the library and classroom. She graduated from Loyola with a bachelor's of science degree and the College of Arts and Sciences Percy A. Roy, S.J., Memorial Award for her 4.0 GPA, the highest in her college.

As a law student, Hebert performed as research assistant for two professors, served as a member on the St. Thomas More Inn of Court, was case note/comment/index editor for the Law Review Board, and acquired an externship with Louisiana Supreme Court Justice Jeannette Theriot Knoll. She spent her summers as an associate for several local law firms and also interned at the Amistad Center at Tulane University and the Loyola law library.

Awards include nine law excellence awards, the Dean's Award, the David L. Herman Award, the Warren E. Mouledoux Professional Responsibility Award, the Corporate and Business Law Award, and Who's Who for American Universities and Colleges.

When reflecting on the span of her student career, Hebert notes, "During my days at law school I have been given the opportunity to meet and work with outstanding faculty members, practicing attorneys, and members of the judiciary, making me realize how broad is the field of law. I now feel that I am well prepared for the next step in my legal career to build upon the good foundation instilled in me over the past three years."

Vanessa Dennis, A'03, Intern in the Offices of Public Affairs and Publications

Arbitration team among best in the world, a leader in America

Loyola's Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Team competed in Vienna, Austria, in mid-April and was very successful. Loyola moved from the final 32 to the top 16 to the final eight, and finally got eliminated by the Indian Institute of Juridical Science from Calcutta. Loyola was one of 128 teams, performed brilliantly, and again was the only American team (out of 30) in the final eight.

Additionally, John Young pulled a top oralist award. Other team members were Susan Bryson and Anjie Raymond. Professor of Law Henry Gabriel is team coach.